Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of miniature rose having small, very double, light pink flowers which are profusely borne in small clusters on a small plant having small, disease resistant leaves.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized -- as to novelty -- by light pink buds andflowers which in general color effect are similar to June Time(miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,563).

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom with flowers usually borne several to the stem inloose cluster or spray.

Light fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of very bushy rounded shape and withsemi-glossy small pointed leaflets; the buds and flowers being similarin form and size to Cinderella (miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,051,expired).

The plant, which has a normal height of 10-12 inches, can easily bemaintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at my nurserylocated at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful control andobservation, as a cross of Ellen Poulsen (floribunda -- not patented) asthe seed parent and Fairy Princess (miniature -- not patented) as thepollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it, in my nursery located as aforesaid, by budding as well asby cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including foliage, budsand flowers. Referring now specifically to the new and distinct varietyof miniature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereofin outline; all major color plate identification being by reference tothe British Colour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except wherecommon terms of color definition are employed.

Type: Hardy, dwarf, bushy, seedling, greenhouse, outdoors; cut flowers;garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature. Variety name: `Stacey Sue`.

Flowers borne: Singly but usually several together (three to five ormore) on sturdy, wirey, short to medium length stems.

Flowers:

Continuity.--Continuous -- repeat bloom all season.

Fragrance.--Light; sweet.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant, both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green,sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs -- usually none.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form: medium long; pointed, withfew foliaceous appendages and few or no hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to less thanone-half of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted withbronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- medium to light pink; opens same generalcolor or lighter shade. Size -- small.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 25 to 27 mm.

Petalage.--Double 50 to 70 petals, arranged regularly -- plus may haveseveral small petaloids.

Form.--Full; rounded center at first, becoming more open in the center,with petals rolled loosely outward. Open flowers, at times, may showyellow stamens.

Petals: Medium thick; satiny on inside and on outside surfaces.

Shape.--Outside petals: broad lanceolate with rounded tip; intermediate-- broad lanceolate with acute or rounded tip; inside -- lanceolate tonarrow lanceolate with acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from plant grown in plastic greenhouse (fall1976), Visalia, Calif.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- may vary, near Fuchsine Pink 627/2 toFuchsine Pink 627/3 -- with both lighter and darker areas -- and withsmall near white area at base. Inside surface -- Fuchsine Pink 627/2 toFuchsine Pink 627/3, similar to outside surface, shading into near-whiteat base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface -- similar to outside petal. Insidesurface -- similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; insidesurface -- same as intermediate petal. General color effect newly openedflowers -- light to medium pink, somewhat depending on the weather andtime of year. Three days open: color similar to newly opened flowers butmay be lighter shade. Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Spentpetals drop off. Flower longevity (September, 1976) -- plant in pot 5-7days or longer. Cut flowers at living room temperature -- 3 to 5 days.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Few (to none), arranged regularly around pistil.

Filaments.--Short, varying length, light yellow.

Anthers.--Some -- usually well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Scarce.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; quite short; bunched; color -- greenish.

Stigma.--Greenish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--Few or none.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seeds.--Few or none.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (often seven) leaflets; abundant; small; softto light leathery; semi-glossy.

Leaflets.--Shape: base rounded or rounded acute. Margin serrate.

Color.--Medium green; new growth -- sometimes reddish.

Rachis.--Medium strength; upper side may have a few short tiny hairsand/or prickles, grooved; underside -- several thorns and several hairsor tiny prickles.

Stipules.--Medium long; narrow to medium width; medium length narrowpoints which turn out usually at about 45 degrees or less.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free; vigorous.

Canes.--Medium; slender; medium green.

Main stems.--Color; medium green.

Thorns.--Several, slender; slightly curved, inclined slightly downward;color -- brown. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns; several; medium length; slender;nearly straight -- inclined slightly downward. Medium to short ovalbase. Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

New shoots.--Color: green but often slightly reddish. Thorns: several;color -- brownish; slightly curved. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, rounded, much branched habit,essentially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of a light to medium pink color resembling the June Timeminiature rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,563) -- and resembling theCinderella miniature rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,051 -- expired) in sizeand form of bud and flower; and further characterized by a plant whichis vigorous and compact, said plant being easy to propagate fromcuttings, with small, disease resistant, semi-glossy leaves, anabundance of bloom, making this variety useful as a potted plant, withflowers borne usually several to the stem in loose clusters.